MLB Grind Down: Thursday, July 2nd
The RotoGrinders MLB Grind Down article will give you an in-depth analysis into the MLB schedule. This article will break down the numbers for every single game and give you analysis on which trends you can exploit. While matchups are a major factor in daily fantasy baseball, there are plenty of other factors to consider such as injuries, weather, and salaries.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. No sport has more variance than baseball. The best choice is not always the right choice but following the trends will win you money over time.
Remember, these writeups are done prior to lineups being released, so make sure to check our Starting Lineups page to ensure the recommended options are playing.
Note: For more info on DFS MLB scoring systems on the two largest sites, check out our DraftKings review and FanDuel review.
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San Francisco at Miami – 12:10 PM EST
| San Francisco | Miami | ||||||||
 | Matt Cain |  | Jose Fernandez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIA (-156) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.252 | 0.737 | 0.329 | 18.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.247 | 0.672 | 0.301 | 27.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.226 | 0.713 | 0.310 | 18.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.126 | 0.394 | 0.172 | 41.40% |
| Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | Batter Splits | MIA BvP | MIA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Matt Cain : FD: $7,600 — DK: $7,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 90.1 — SIERA: 4.11 — K%: 18.7% — BB%: 8.6% — FB Rate: 35.7% — HR/FB: 13.7%
Miami Marlins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.290 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 20.8% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.258 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 26.3% (Rank: 29)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 27)
Analysis: Cain will be making his season debut today, after missing the first three months of the seasons with a flexor tendon strain in his right arm (sounds painful). He is coming off of a somewhat disappointing 2014 campaign where he posted a 4.11 SIERA and a strikeout rate of 18.7%. He has pitched well in his three minor league starts, striking out just over nine batters per nine innings. A pitch count isn’t a huge concern here, as he has already made three rehab starts. That said, the Giants are not going to let him throw 110 pitches in his first start of the season. The matchup is a favorable one, but coming off of an injury, the wait and see approach seems like the best option with Cain.
Pitcher Rating:56.4
Jose Fernandez : FD: $9,800 — DK: $9,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 51.2 — SIERA: 2.20 — K%: 34.2% — BB%: 6.3% — FB Rate: 34.7% — HR/FB: 9.5%
San Francisco Giants Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.325 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 17.6% (Rank: 5)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.334 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 14)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 26)
Analysis: Fernandez is also making his season debut today, although there is a little more buzz surrounding his first start. He established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball last season, before having Tommy John surgery. He finished his 2014 campaign with a 2.20 SIERA and an elite strikeout rate of 34.2%. Fernandez has given up quite a few runs in his five rehab starts, but he’s averaged over 12 strikeouts per nine innings, which is promising. I’m tempted to take the same wait and see approach with Fernandez today, but this may be the only time this season that he is priced under $10,000.
Pitcher Rating:78.4
Batter Grind Down
San Francisco
In 110 innings of work in his career, Jose Fernandez has held left and right-handed hitters under a .265 wOBA. The Giants are sizable underdogs in a game that features a total of 6.5 runs. The Giants have the second lowest team total on the board today and their offense should be avoided in all league formats.
Elite Plays / Secondary Plays:
NONE
Miami
The Marlins also draw a difficult matchup, but Matt Cain has been hittable over the last couple of seasons. He gave up a .329 wOBA to left-handed hitters last season and had a SIERA just over 4.00. The Marlins are without their best hitter in Giancarlo Stanton, but the left-handed bats of Dee Gordon and Justin Bour against Cain.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Dee Gordon : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 750 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.082 — wRC+: 104
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 116
Justin Bour : FD: $2,400 — DK: $2,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 205 — wOBA: 0.345 — ISO: 0.154 — wRC+: 118
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 116
Cleveland at Tampa Bay – 12:10 PM EST
| Cleveland | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Corey Kluber |  | Matt Moore | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CLE (-133) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.713 | 0.315 | 27.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.333 | 1.011 | 0.436 | 9.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.216 | 0.560 | 0.247 | 29.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.233 | 0.703 | 0.313 | 15.20% |
| Batter Splits | CLE BvP | CLE vs L | Batter Splits | TBR BvP | TB vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Corey Kluber : FD: $11,000 — DK: $10,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 346.1 — SIERA: 2.65 — K%: 28.3% — BB%: 5.3% — FB Rate: 31.2% — HR/FB: 8.2%
Last 30 Days: IP: 34.0 — SIERA: 3.70 — K%: 22.6% — BB%: 7.3% — FB Rate: 38.7% — HR/FB: 8.3%
Tampa Bay Rays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 25)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.306 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 22.5% (Rank: 24)
Pitchers per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Kluber hasn’t exactly been his dominant self in recent outings, but his bad form is still better than most pitcher’s good form. Over the last month, he has a 3.70 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 22.6%. He is looking to become the fourth-straight Indians’ pitcher to take a perfect game into the sixth inning (they already have the record with three). This is certainly a matchup for him to do it in too. The Rays are ranked 24th in wOBA (.297) and 25th in strikeout rate (21.2%) against right-handed pitching this season. While the Rays did get to Kluber in their last meeting, I expect a much different result this time around.
Pitcher Rating:92.5
Matt Moore : FD: $6,600 — DK: $7,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 10.0 — SIERA: 4.99 — K%: 13.6% — BB%: 11.4% — FB Rate: 27.3% — HR/FB: 11.1%
Cleveland Indians Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.287 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 25)
Pitchers per PA: 3.93 (Rank: 3)
Analysis: What a day for season debuts! The four early games include debuts from three very talented pitchers in Jose Fernandez, Matt Cain, and Matt Moore. Moore is making his first start since April of last season, after missing most of 2014 after having Tommy John surgery. Reports say that his velocity is not 100% back yet, but he has pitched well in his rehab starts. With Corey Kluber pitching opposite him, this is a perfect opportunity to avoid Moore without hesitation, as his ownership level will be very low. He may be worth a look in tournaments, but Kluber is the pitcher that you want to target in cash games.
Pitcher Rating:64.4
Batter Grind Down
Cleveland
It’s always hard to predict how pitchers will fare in their first start in more than a year. Matt Moore could come out and dominate (which he is capable of), or he could be rusty and give up a few quick runs. In his career, Moore has held left and right-handed hitters under a .310 wOBA, which makes the right-handed bats in the Indians’ lineup secondary options.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Santana : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 327 — wOBA: 0.345 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 124
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.219 — ISO: 0.083 — wRC+: 37
Ryan Raburn : FD: $2,400 — DK: $2,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 246 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 112
Last 14 Days: PA: 20 — wOBA: 0.467 — ISO: 0.294 — wRC+: 210
Tampa Bay
Even though the Rays had some success against Corey Kluber in their last meeting, their offense has been ice cold in his series. In fact, it has been historically bad. They can safely be avoided today against Kluber, who is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
Elite Plays / Secondary Plays:
NONE
Pittsburgh at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| Pittsburgh | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Francisco Liriano |  | Kyle Ryan | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-127) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.247 | 0.677 | 0.304 | 27.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.310 | 0.841 | 0.363 | 13.60% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.194 | 0.597 | 0.272 | 26.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.239 | 0.704 | 0.312 | 9.40% |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs L | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Francisco Liriano : FD: $9,700 — DK: $9,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 257.2 — SIERA: 3.34 — K%: 26.5% — BB%: 10.5% — FB Rate: 26.6% — HR/FB: 12.7%
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.2 — SIERA: 2.66 — K%: 24.6% — BB%: 5.2% — FB Rate: 24.5% — HR/FB: 13.0%
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.343 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 23.5% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.336 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 22)
Pitchers per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Liriano has been terrific in his recent starts, posting a 2.66 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 24.6% over the last month. He has shown improved command during that stretch, although he did walk three batters in his last outing. His matchup against the Tigers is intriguing. On the one hand, Detroit is one of the best offenses in baseball against southpaws. On the other hand, the Tigers’ lineup consists primarily of right-handed hitters and Liriano has held righties to a .272 wOBA. The strikeout potential is still there and he’s expected to see run support with Kyle Ryan on the mound for the Tigers. He is a very sneaky tournament play today, as most people will gravitate to Corey Kluber or Jacob deGrom.
Pitcher Rating:81.2
Kyle Ryan : FD: $5,600 — DK: $4,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 34.0 — SIERA: 4.48 — K%: 10.7% — BB%: 7.1% — FB Rate: 29.5% — HR/FB: 12.1%
Last 30 Days: IP: 20.2 — SIERA: 4.54 — K%: 12.8% — BB%: 5.8% — FB Rate: 35.8% — HR/FB: 16.7%
Pittsburgh Pirates Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.299 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 23.9% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.286 (Rank: 26) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 17)
Pitchers per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 18)
Analysis: In 34 innings of work over the last two seasons, Ryan owns a 4.48 SIERA with a very low strikeout rate of 10.7%. He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff and his command isn’t particularly good either. After the Pirates put 20 hits up on the board last night against the Tigers, I want no part of Ryan today. The Pirates have quite a few quality right-handed bats that should be salivating at their matchup against the young southpaw.
Pitcher Rating:37.7
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh
The sample size is still small, so I wouldn’t put too much stock into the fact that Kyle Ryan has given up a much higher wOBA to left-handed hitters than he has to right-handed hitters. If anything, it just brings hitters from both sides of the plate into play.
Elite Plays:
Starling Marte : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 153 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 145
Last 14 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.226 — ISO: 0.022 — wRC+: 41
Francisco Cervelli : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 91 — wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.145 — wRC+: 133
Last 14 Days: PA: 37 — wOBA: 0.211 — ISO: 0.114 — wRC+: 30
Neil Walker : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 160 — wOBA: 0.300 — ISO: 0.083 — wRC+: 92
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.416 — ISO: 0.120 — wRC+: 171
Secondary Plays:
Andrew McCutchen : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 175 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.195 — wRC+: 152
Last 14 Days: PA: 51 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 170
Josh Harrison : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 178 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.133 — wRC+: 136
Last 14 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.263 — ISO: 0.064 — wRC+: 66
Jordy Mercer : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 178 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.127 — wRC+: 112
Last 14 Days: PA: 51 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.109 — wRC+: 115
Jung-Ho Kang : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 47 — wOBA: 0.390 — ISO: 0.220 — wRC+: 152
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.236 — ISO: 0.073 — wRC+: 47
Detroit
The Tigers are one of the best hitting teams in baseball against left-handed pitching, but they draw a difficult matchup against Francisco Liriano. The Tigers are still in play here, but it’s hard to label them as elite plays when Liriano has been so effective against hitters from the right side of the plate.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Miguel Cabrera : FD: $5,300 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 241 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 162
Last 14 Days: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.429 — ISO: 0.150 — wRC+: 179
Victor Martinez : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 198 — wOBA: 0.475 — ISO: 0.294 — wRC+: 211
Last 14 Days: PA: 46 — wOBA: 0.374 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 140
Rajai Davis : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 225 — wOBA: 0.400 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 158
Last 14 Days: PA: 29 — wOBA: 0.413 — ISO: 0.192 — wRC+: 168
Chicago Cubs at NY Mets – 1:10 PM EST
| Chicago Cubs | NY Mets | ||||||||
 | Jake Arrieta |  | Jacob Degrom | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYM (-121) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.200 | 0.572 | 0.259 | 29.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.230 | 0.623 | 0.279 | 24.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.216 | 0.565 | 0.250 | 25.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.204 | 0.544 | 0.241 | 26.50% |
| Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | Batter Splits | NYM BvP | NYM vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jake Arrieta : FD: $9,900 — DK: $10,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 254.2 — SIERA: 2.85 — K%: 27.0% — BB%: 6.4% — FB Rate: 28.4% — HR/FB: 7.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.0 — SIERA: 2.97 — K%: 27.7% — BB%: 6.9% — FB Rate: 31.7% — HR/FB: 7.7%
New York Mets Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.286 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.235 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 21.3% (Rank: 19)
Pitchers per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 8)
Analysis: Arrieta continues to pitch well for the Cubs. Since the start of last season, he has a 2.85 SIERA with an elite strikeout rate of 27.0%. He’s not considered to be an elite pitcher by many, but he certainly should be considered elite by the DFS community. He draws a fantastic matchup today against the Mets, who are ranked 29th in wOBA (.286) and 21st in strikeout rate (20.5%) against right-handed pitching this season. The only concern here is run support. With Jacob deGrom pitching opposite him, he may not be in line for the win even if he pitches a gem.
Pitcher Rating:85.5
Jacob deGrom : FD: $11,000 — DK: $10,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 240.2 — SIERA: 3.10 — K%: 25.6% — BB%: 6.4% — FB Rate: 32.5% — HR/FB: 6.9%
Last 30 Days: IP: 37.1 — SIERA: 2.74 — K%: 27.2% — BB%: 3.7% — FB Rate: 36.7% — HR/FB: 3.0%
Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.304 (Rank: 19) — Strikeout Rate: 24.9% (Rank: 29)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.299 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 22)
Pitchers per PA: 3.98 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: deGrom has been equally as impressive as Jake Arrieta this season. Over the last month, he has a 2.74 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 27.2%. He has always pitched well at home and now he gets to face a Cubs’ offense that is ranked 29th in strikeout rate (24.9%) against right-handed pitching this season. The strikeout potential here is huge, although he may run into the same problem as Arrieta. In what is expected to be a pitcher’s duel, neither pitcher may end up getting the win.
Pitcher Rating:86.9
Batter Grind Down
Chicago Cubs
We have a weird set of games in the early slate. There are a ton of great pitching options, but it’s tough to find many favorite hitting matchups outside of the Pirates. The Cubs should be avoided against Jacob deGrom, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .280 wOBA over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays / Secondary Plays:
NONE
NY Mets
The Mets’ offense struggles to score runs against average major league pitching. They should really struggle today against Jake Arrieta, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .260 wOBA over the last two seasons. Avoid both of these offenses in a game that seems destined to hit the under (6.5 run total).
Elite Plays / Secondary Plays:
NONE
Milwaukee at Philadelphia – 6:35 PM EST
| Milwaukee | Philadelphia | ||||||||
 | Matt Garza |  | Chad Billingsley | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIL (-122) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.242 | 0.700 | 0.311 | 17.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.455 | 1.289 | 0.551 | 17.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.258 | 0.721 | 0.316 | 17.4% | SP vs. Right | 0.216 | 0.513 | 0.232 | 2.60% |
| Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs R | Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Matt Garza : FD: $6,000 — DK: $5,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 256.1 — SIERA: 4.17 — K%: 17.4% — BB%: 7.5% — FB Rate: 34.5% — HR/FB: 10.3%
Last 30 Days: IP: 36.0 — SIERA: 4.33 — K%: 12.7% — BB%: 3.2% — FB Rate: 34.6% — HR/FB: 13.6%
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.279 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 8)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.324 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 17.8% (Rank: 9)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 25)
Analysis: This game is only included in the all-day slate, so if you are only playing the early or late slate of games, feel free to move on to page two. Garza has been less than stellar recently, posting a 4.33 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 12.7% over the last month. His strikeouts have taken a dip this season and while the Phillies are ranked deal last in wOBA (.279) against right-handed pitching, they are not a team that strikes out often. Garza could be a cheap source for a win, but there are much better pitching options in the early and late sets of games.
Pitcher Rating:51.3
Chad Billingsley : FD: $5,100 — DK: $6,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 16.0 — SIERA: 4.90 — K%: 9.6% — BB%: 4.1% — FB Rate: 37.7% — HR/FB: 13.0%
Milwaukee Brewers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.298 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.325 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 4)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 28)
Analysis: Billingsley is back for another crack at a starting gig for the Phillies. In his first three starts of the season, he has a 4.90 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 9.6%. He’s an easy pitcher to avoid tonight against the Brewers, who have finally found some rhythm offensively. Billingsley is a small underdog in a game that features a total of 8.5 runs. There is little to no fantasy appeal here.
Pitcher Rating:45.3
Batter Grind Down
Milwaukee
The Brewers’ offense is finally starting to hit the way that we expect them to. They are having a terrific series against the Phillies and they should be able to keep it going tonight against Chad Billingsley. The left-handed hitters in the Brewers’ lineup have the splits in their favor, but Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy are also in play.
Elite Plays:
Adam Lind : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 518 — wOBA: 0.398 — ISO: 0.197 — wRC+: 154
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.444 — ISO: 0.270 — wRC+: 185
Scooter Gennett : FD: $2,800 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 538 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.159 — wRC+: 110
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.283 — ISO: 0.242 — wRC+: 74
Gerardo Parra : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 671 — wOBA: 0.314 — ISO: 0.133 — wRC+: 95
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 112
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Gomez : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 673 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.182 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.094 — wRC+: 99
Jonathan Lucroy : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 631 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 123
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.274 — ISO: 0.042 — wRC+: 68
Philadelphia
Matt Garza isn’t particularly effective against hitters from either side of the plate, but the Phillies’ offense is still ranked dead last in wOBA against right-handed pitching. Maikel Franco continues to be a solid fantasy option at third base, but unfortunately, he gets very little help from his team offensively.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Maikel Franco : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 162 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.197 — wRC+: 120
Last 14 Days: PA: 57 — wOBA: 0.405 — ISO: 0.208 — wRC+: 160